JAGANNATH PANDHARI DHAVARE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellants herein are original accused nos. 3 & 4 in Sessions Case No. 80/1994. Appellants herein are convicted of the offence punishable under section 324 r/w. Section 34 of Indian Penal code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for term of 2 years. They are also convicted of the offence punishable under section 304(II) of Indian Penal Code and sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 2 years. They are also convicted for offence punishable under section 506 r/w 34 of Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year by Additional Sessions Judge, Pandharpur vide Judgment and Order dated 24/08/1995. Accused no. 1 & 2 are convicted for offence punishable under section 302 r/w 34 of Indian Penal Code. Original accused no. 1 & 2 have not challenged their conviction and have undergone the substantive sentence imposed upon them. Such of the facts which are necessary for the decision of this appeal are as follows.

(2.) It is the case of prosecution that on 03/06/1994, Subhash Navgire lodged a report at the police station alleging therein that he resides with his mother, his brother Prakash @ Kumar Vilas and his sister-in-law Laxmi wife of Babu Navgire. Vilas was working at Modnimb. A month prior to the lodging of the report, Prabhakar Janrao had behaved indecently with his sister-in-law Laxmi when she was filling water at the hand pump. He had offered 10 rupees and had asked her to accompany him. Laxmi had disclosed the said incident to the family members. They had gone to his house to inquire about the same, however, he had fled not only from his house, but from the village and therefore, they did not approach the police station. On 03/06/1994, his mother Sundarabai had been to visit her son Prakash. She returned along with Prakash. She informed the complainant and her other sons that Prabhakar had returned to the village and therefore, they had decided to go to his house and inquire about his indecent behaviour with Laxmi. They learnt that Anna Navgire had given him shelter and he had concealed himself in the house of Anna Navgire. They therefore, approached Anna Navgire and requested him to call Prabhakar. Anna Navgire had informed the complainant that they should get independent, respectable persons from the village and then they would decide the matter. Complainant returned home. They had approached some persons, however, most of the villagers had been to attend the marriage of the son of Dattu Patil. At about 6.00 to 6.30 p.m., complainant along with brother Prakash went into the village. When they were passing from front of the house of Anna Navgire, at that time, Anna Navgire, Mohan Navgire, Jagannath Davare & Prabhakar Janrao suddenly started shouting that the complainant and his brother should be assaulted and saying so they charged on the person of the complainant. Anna was armed with handle of pickaxe whereas Prabhakar & Jagannath were armed with sticks and Mohan was possessing stone wrapped in a towel. Mohan had thrown chilly powder in the eyes of Prakash and thereafter, Anna had assaulted him on his head with the handle of pickaxe. Prakash fell on the ground. Mohan then assaulted him with stone which was wrapped in a towel. Thereafter, they marched towards the complainant. Mohan had assaulted him with stone. At that time, present appellants were assaulting Prakash @ Kumar with a stick on his back. At that time, Prakash was unconscious. Several people had seen the incident. Thereafter, injured were taken to the hospital. On the same day, Prakash had succumbed to the injuries. On the basis of the said report, Crime No. 114/1994 was registered at Pandharpur Police Station against for offence punishable under section 302, 307, 324 r/w 34 of Indian Penal Code. Investigation was set in motion and chargesheet was filed against accused persons. On 15/09/1994, case was committed to the Court of Sessions. Prosecution examined 12 witnesses to bring home the guilt of the accused.

(3.) P. W. 11 Subhash Navgire is the complainant. He has deposed before the Court, that, on 03/07/1994, accused persons were sitting in front of the house of Anna. They had started shouting upon seeing the complainant and his brother and they were instigating each other to beat and kill. He has attributed specific role to Anna & Mohan. He has deposed before the Court that present appellants were armed with sticks. He has stated that after sustaining injuries at the hands of original accused no. 1 & 2, Kumar had fallen down. Thereafter, present appellants had started bearing Kumar with sticks. Thereafter, they had proceeded towards the complainant and had beaten him down till he fainted and fell down. It is elicited in the cross-examination that when he went to the house of Anna, he had seen that the door of the house of Anna was closed. They were not sure as to whether Prabhakar had concealed himself in the house of accused Anna. They had not caused Anna to call Prabhakar out of the house. He has specifically admitted that he had fallen unconscious after the incident.